Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedure regarding microchipping of dogs and dog licences (details supplied); if he will consider additional safeguards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41582/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations, 2005 (S.I. No. 63/2015) came into force for newborn puppies this year and is being rolled out for all dogs next year. These regulations also provide that, by 31 March 2016, all dogs must be, not only microchipped, but also the owner’s current contact details must be registered with one of four Databases approved under the Regulations. Microchips must meet an internationally approved standard as set out in the regulations. This system will facilitate speedy reunification of lost dogs with their owner and the identification of owners.

The regulations make strict provision for change of ownership to be authenticated by both parties and updated on the database. Therefore the situation where a dog is microchipped and passes to a new owner, while the details on the database remain those of the breeder, will not be legally permitted.

Dog Licences remain an issue for the Minister of Environment and, while there is scope for such a revised dog licence system to be linked to microchips, there remain logistical and technical challenges as well as legal issues such as Data Protection legislation.